Portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

Portable electronic devices having I/O assemblies that can include optical and audio components are described. An exemplary I/O assembly can include a first camera module and a second camera module that can be carried within a camera module housing. A flex connector can carry a strobe that can be positioned between the first camera module and the second camera module. A trim can enclose the first camera, the second camera and the strobe and optically isolates the optical components. An exemplary portable electronic device can include a side wall retainer that defines its perimeter, a front cover glass and a rear cover glass that cooperate to form an enclosure. The I/O assembly can be secured to the enclosure both from inside and outside of the rear cover glass. I/O assembly can also include an audio transducer that can record sound when the camera module are recording videos.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/556,190, entitled “PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” filedSep. 8, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

Described embodiments can relate to portable electronic devices. Morespecifically, described embodiments can relate to a portable electronicdevice having an input/output (I/O) assembly.

BACKGROUND

As portable electronic devices continue to include increasingly greaternumbers of features, integration of those features into a single devicebecomes increasingly complex. One particular feature that has becomeubiquitous in popular portable electronic devices is imaging operationsenabled by camera modules. Because camera modules can include fragilecomponents such as lens and electronics, proper mounting of a cameramodule is important to protect the components from damage. Furthermore,improper alignment of the camera module with a portable electronicdevice can result in unexpected or even degraded imaging performance.

SUMMARY

This paper describes various exemplary input/output assemblies forportable electronic devices and methods of manufacturing and assemblingportable electronic devices.

According to one embodiment, a portable electronic device is described.The portable electronic device can include an enclosure having a backwall. The portable electronic device can also include an input/output(I/O) assembly carried by the back wall. The I/O assembly can include afirst camera module, a second camera module, a strobe module positionedbetween the first camera module and the second camera module. The I/Oassembly can also include an audio transducer positioned adjacent to thestrobe module. The audio transducer can detect audible signals.

According to another embodiment, a portable electronic device isdescribed. The portable electronic device can include a display assemblythat can present visual content. The portable electronic device can alsoinclude a front cover glass overlying the display assembly and a rearcover glass having an opening. The portable electronic device can alsoinclude a side wall retainer that can carry the front and rear coverglass and an I/O assembly positioned at the opening. The I/O assemblycan include a first camera module, a second camera module, and a strobemodule positioned between the first camera module and the second cameramodule. The I/O assembly can be secured to the rear cover glass and theside wall retainer.

According to yet another embodiment, a method for mounting an I/Oassembly to a rear cover glass of a portable electronic device isdescribed. The rear cover glass can have an opening and can be securedto a side wall retainer of the portable electronic device. The methodcan include securing the I/O assembly to a brace piece. The method canalso include inserting the I/O assembly through the opening such that aportion of the I/O assembly protrudes from an exterior surface of therear cover glass and the brace piece is positioned interior to the rearcover glass. The method can further include securing the brace piece tothe side wall retainer. The method can further include connecting theportion of the I/O assembly and the exterior surface together by aturret that surrounds the portion of the I/O assembly.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a portable electronic device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the portable electronic deviceshown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of a portable electronic deviceand an I/O assembly in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a see-through view of a portion of a portable electronicdevice and an I/O assembly in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a camera cover glass in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the camera cover glass shown inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a first perspective view of a trim in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5B is a second perspective view of the trim that is invertedcompared to FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the trim shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a portion of a portable electronic device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the portableelectronic device shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is an internal plan view of a portion of a portable electronicdevice in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a flex connector in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an I/O assemblycarrying an audio transducer in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a method for assembling an I/O assemblyin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting a method for securing an I/O assemblyto an enclosure of a portable electronic device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device in accordancewith some embodiments.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, accordingto common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below arenot necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various featuresand elements of the drawings can be expanded or reduced to more clearlyillustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to thepresent application are described in this section. These examples arebeing provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of thedescribed embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in theart that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or allof these specific details. In other instances, well known process stepshave not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible,such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in whichare shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordancewith the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are describedin sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice thedescribed embodiments, it is understood that these examples are notlimiting; other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.

Embodiments described herein relate to input/output (I/O) assemblies andrelated structural components of portable electronic devices. As cameramodules of portable electronic devices become increasinglysophisticated, the camera modules are often paired with strobe modulesto improve the image quality. Embodiments described herein provideexemplary architecture that can provide compact and efficient ways tocombine camera modules, strobe modules, and potentially otherinput/output components such as microphones in a single I/O assembly.Exemplary architecture also improves image quality of the camera modulesby optically isolating light emitted from a strobe module from leakinginto the camera modules.

In accordance with some embodiments, an exemplary input/output (I/O)assembly can include optical components and audio components. Forexample, the I/O assembly can include an audio transducer that candetect and respond to sound (e.g., a microphone) and/or that can convertelectrical signals to sound (e.g. a speaker). The I/O assembly can alsoinclude a first camera module and a second camera module. In one case,the two camera modules can both be positioned with a single housing andcontrolled by a circuit board carried within the camera module housing.The circuit board can include light sensors, analog-to-digitalconvertors, and processor integrated circuits that can control thecamera modules and process the images and videos captured by the cameramodules. The two camera modules can each include lens, shutters,apertures, and other components of a camera. The two camera modules canhave different optical properties such as different ranges of focallength to compensate each other. A strobe module that can be carried bya flex connector (i.e. a flexible circuit connector) that can bepositioned on a top surface of the camera module housing at a locationthat is between the first and second camera modules. The audiotransducer can be positioned adjacent to the strobe module. The sameflex connector can be electrically coupled to the strobe module and theaudio transducer.

The I/O assembly can include an opaque structural element that can serveas an enclosure to enclose and optically isolate the camera modules andthe strobe module. In one case, the enclosure can be referred to as atrim. Light emitted from the strobe module could potential leak to thecamera modules or the light sensor on the circuit board from inside ofthe I/O assembly or from outside of the I/O assembly, for example, byreflection. The trim can serve to block both internal and externalleakages. From inside of the I/O assembly, the trim can include internalwalls that can define one or more chambers at which the camera modulesand the strobe module can be positioned. The internal walls can blocklight from reaching the camera modules or the light sensors. A bootmember, which can be formed from a compression-molded material, can fillthe space between the strobe module and the top surface of the cameramodule housing so that the strobe can be completely optically isolatedfrom the camera modules internally. From outside of the I/O assembly,the cover glass for the camera modules and the strobe window can be twoseparate pieces. The cover glass for the camera modules can include aphysical opening for the strobe window to be positioned therein. Thetrim can include a lip that can engage with the internal edge of theopening of the cover glass. By separating the camera cover glass and thestrobe window, the lip can serve as a wall that optically block thestrobe's light from entering the camera cover glass and being reflectedto the camera modules.

Also, architecture for securing an I/O assembly to the enclosure of aportable electronic device is described. The enclosure of an exemplaryportable electronic device can include a side wall retainer that definesthe perimeter of the portable electronic device, a front wall, and aback wall. The side wall retainer and the walls can cooperate to definethe enclosure and the cavity within the enclosure. In some cases, one orboth of the protective layers can take the form of sapphire coverglasses. To provide a secured and also aesthetically pleasing way tocouple the I/O assembly to the enclosure, the I/O assembly can slightlyprotrude from a rear exterior surface of the portable electronic deviceso that the I/O assembly can be proud of both the exterior and interiorsurface of the back wall. In addition, the I/O assembly can be securedto the enclosure both from outside of the back wall and from inside ofthe back wall. From outside of the back wall, the proud portion of theI/O assembly can be surrounded by and adhered to a turret. The turretcan be secured to the exterior surface of the back wall. The turret canprovide a smooth transition from the back wall to the proud I/Oassembly, thereby serving both structural and cosmetic purposes.

From inside of the back wall, the camera module housing can be mountedon a cowling, which in turn can be secured to a structural element ofthe portable electronic device such as an extension or a portion of theenclosure of the portable electronic device. The trim, which maysurround the camera module, can be secured to a brace piece. The bracepiece, which can be a structural element that can be formed from a highstrength material such as a metal, can be secured to the side wallretainer of the enclosure of the portable electronic device. Byattaching the I/O assembly to different parts of the enclosure of theportable electronic device from different locations, the I/O assemblycan be securely mounted on and be protected by the enclosure.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1A-12; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a front perspective view and a rearperspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device 100 inaccordance with some embodiments are respectively illustrated. Portableelectronic device 100 can be a mobile communication device such as asmartphone and/or a tablet device. Portable electronic device 100 mayvary in size and shape. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,portable electronic device 100 can take the form of a smartphone.

Portable electronic device 100 can include a side wall retainer 102 thatcan define the perimeter of portable electronic device 100. Side wallretainer 102 can provide structural support and protection to portableelectronic device 100. Side wall retainer 102 can sometimes also bereferred to as a frame or a band piece. Side wall retainer 102 can beformed from a high strength material such as stainless steel, aluminum,and/or an alloy that includes aluminum. However, other materials arealso possible, such as a high strength plastic or ceramic. Portableelectronic device 100 can also include, on a front surface, a displayassembly 104 designed to present visual content. Display assembly 104can be mounted on side wall retainer 102. In some embodiments, displayassembly 104 can includes a touch sensitive layer designed to receivetouch inputs from users and generate commands, in accordance with thetouch inputs, to a processor circuit (not shown) of portable electronicdevice 100. A front wall 106 can overlie and cover display assembly 104.In some cases, front wall 106 can cover the entire front surface ofportable electronic device 100 and can cooperate with side wall retainer102 to form a part of an enclosure of portable electronic device 100.Front wall 106 can be formed from a transparent material, such as glassor sapphire including sapphire glass, so that the visual content ofdisplay assembly 104 is visible through front wall 106. Hence, frontwall 106 can sometimes also be referred to as front cover glass 106,even though front cover glass 106 can be formed from other transparentmaterial. In some embodiments, portable electronic device 100 can alsoinclude a force detection sensor (not shown) designed to detect anamount of force applied to display assembly 104 and/or front cover glass106. The amount of force detected may be received by a processor circuitof portable electronic device 100, in order to generate a command orinput based on the amount of force.

On its rear surface as shown in FIG. 1B, portable electronic device 100can include a back wall 108 that can engage with side wall retainer 102of portable electronic device 100. In other words, back wall 108 candefine the rear surface of portable electronic device 100. Back wall 108can be formed from any high strength materials including a material thatis the same as the material of side wall retainer 102 or a differentmaterial. In some embodiments, back wall 108 can be formed from lightpassing materials such as glass or sapphire. Hence, back wall 108 cansometimes be referred to as rear cover glass 108. In some cases, rearcover glass 108 may be dyed or coated with the same color of side wallretainer 102 to give a coherent and aesthetic appearance to portableelectronic device 100. Also, rear cover glass 108 may be dyed or coatedwith opaque materials so that rear cover glass 108 is no longertransparent. Material such as sapphire can be used as the rear coverglass 108 to enable wireless charging such as through the wirelesscharging standard Qi. Side wall retainer 102, front cover glass 106 andrear cover glass 108 can cooperatively form the enclosure that defines acavity of portable electronic device 100 in which internal componentsand circuitry (not shown) are carried.

On its rear surface, portable electronic device 100 can also include aninput/output (I/O) assembly 110, which can be proud of the rear surfaceof portable electronic device 100. In one case, I/O assembly can performvarious imaging and/or audio operations such as taking photos andrecording videos and sound clips for portable electronic device 100. Insome embodiments, I/O assembly 110 can include a single camera module.In other embodiments, I/O assembly 110 can include multiple optical andaudio components. For example, in the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 1B, I/O assembly 110 can be a dual-camera assembly that can includea first camera module 112, a second camera module 114, and a strobemodule 116 that can provide flash light for the camera modules or forother purposes such as being used as a torch. First and second cameramodules 112 and 114 can also sometimes be referred to as rear cameras orrear camera modules because the modules can be located on the rearsurface of portable electronic device 100. Strobe module 116 can bepositioned collinear with the first camera module 112 and the secondcamera module 114 and also between the first camera module 112 and thesecond camera module 114. In some embodiments, I/O assembly 110 can alsoinclude an opening 118 for access of an audio transducer such as amicrophone (not shown in FIG. 1B) carried in I/O assembly 110.

Portable electronic device 100 can include additional input/outputinterfaces, sensors, switches, terminals, and/or ports. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A, portable electronic device 100 can includeinterface panel 120 can that include one or more input/outputinterfaces, sensors, switches, terminals, and/or ports. Interface panel120 can include components such as infrared facial recognition emittersand sensors, proximity sensors, loudspeakers, microphones, front cameramodules, wireless charging interfaces and/or other suitable components.It should be noted that those components could also be locatedseparately in other suitable locations of portable electronic device100.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate detailed structure and components of I/Oassembly 110 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates,from the rear surface of portable electronic device 100, an explodedview of I/O assembly 110 and nearby structural and/or cosmetic elements.FIG. 3 illustrates a see-through view of I/O assembly 110 from the rearsurface of portable electronic device 100 when I/O assembly 110 isassembled. It should be noted that front cover glass 106, displayassembly 104 and other internal components such as main logic board ofportable electronic device 100 are not shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

With reference to both FIGS. 2 and 3, portable electronic device 100 caninclude side wall retainer 102 which can be a ring shaped structure thatcan define the perimeter of portable electronic device 100. In thepartial view of FIG. 2, a L-shaped portion of side wall retainer 102 isshown. In some cases, side wall retainer 102 can be formed from a metalsuch as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel. Side wall retainer 102 canbe a unitary piece or can be formed with multiple parts securedtogether. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, side wallretainer 102 can include a first part 202, a second part 204, and asplit 206 that can be formed from an electrical insulator such as aninjection-molded polymer. Split 206 can electrically isolate first part202 and second part 204 so that first part 202 and second part 204 canserve different purposes in addition to their structural function. Forexample, first part 202 and second part 204 can serve as or be connectedto different antennas for portable electronic device 100 to receivewireless signals in different frequency ranges.

Side wall retainer 102 can be characterized as having an exteriorsurface 208 that can serve as part of the exterior surface of portableelectronic device 100 and having an interior surface 210 that canpartially define the internal cavity 212 of portable electronic device100. In FIG. 2, part of the interior surface 210 that is behind exteriorsurface 208 is illustrated in dashed lines. Interior surface 210 can bethe mounting surface of side wall retainer 102 on which variousstructural components and other components are mounted. Side wallretainer 102 can also include one or more ledges 214 that can serve asstructural elements for supporting and connecting one or morecomponents. Ledges 214 can be extended from interior surface 210 of sidewall retainer 102 internally towards internal cavity 212. In some cases,ledges 214 can be integrally formed with side wall retainer 102. Inother cases, ledges 214 can be separate structural elements that aresecured to side wall retainer 102. For example, in one case, a ledge 214can be a L-shaped support plate that is mounted on interior surface 210by one or more fastening mechanism such as screws, welding, and/oradhesives.

Above side wall retainer 102 (from the perspective of FIGS. 2 and 3),portable electronic device 100 can include a piece of rear cover glass108 that can define the rear surface of portable electronic device 100.While in FIGS. 2 and 3 rear cover glass 108 is shown as transparent, insome embodiments rear cover glass 108 is dyed or coated with coloredmaterials so that rear cover glass 108 can be opaque. Rear cover glass108 can include an exterior surface 216 that can serve as the rearsurface of portable electronic device 100 and an interior surface 218that can partially define cavity 212 of portable electronic device 100.Near one of its corner, rear cover glass 108 can include an opening 220at which I/O assembly 110 can be positioned. Rear cover glass 108 can besecured to side wall retainer 102 and be supported by one or more ledges214, as shown in FIG. 3.

I/O assembly 110 can include camera modules that are carried by a cameramodule housing 222. I/O assembly 100 can also include a flex connector224 that can carry a strobe module 116 and an audio transducer 226. I/Oassembly 100 can further include a strobe window 228, a trim 230, acamera cover glass 232, and other components that will be discussed infurther detail. In one case, audio transducer 226 can be a microphonethat can detect and convert audible signals into electrical signals. Inother cases, audio transducer 226 can be a loudspeaker or any othersuitable acoustic devices that can transmit or receive audible signals.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a single camera module housing 222can carry both a first camera module 112 and a second camera module 114.However, it should be understood that the two camera modules could alsobe carried by separate housings. Camera module housing 222 can carry acircuit board (not shown) that can include light sensors,analog-to-digital convertors, and processor integrated circuits that cancontrol first camera module 112 and second camera module 114.Alternatively, each camera module can also include its own circuitboard. First camera module 112 and second camera module 114 canrespectively include lens, shutters, apertures, and other components ofa camera and portion of the modules can extend out of camera modulehousing 222. In some cases, both camera modules 112 and 114 can beidentical and be used to compensate each other. In other cases, thecamera modules can have different optical properties. For example, firstcamera module 112 can have a first range of length and second cameramodule 114 can have a second range of focal length that is differentthan the first range of focal length. For example, first camera module112 can be a wide-angle camera with a relatively short focal lengthwhile second camera module 114 can be a telephoto camera that provides along range optical zoom. In order to reduce the thickness of portableelectronic device 100 (i.e. the height of side wall retainer 102),camera module housing 222 can be thin but have a relatively largesurface area 234.

Because camera module housing 222 can have a relatively large surfacearea 234, first camera module 112 and second camera module 114 can bespaced apart by a relatively large distance. The separation can providesufficient space for strobe module 116 to fit between first cameramodule 112 and second camera module 114. In one case, strobe module 116can also be collinear with first camera module 112 and second cameramodule 114. Flex connector 224 can carry strobe module 116 and beconnected either or both to a main logic board (not shown) of portableelectronic device and to the circuit board of the camera modules so thatthe circuit board can directly control strobe module 116. The relativelylarge surface area 234 can also allow audio transducer 226 to bepositioned thereon. In one embodiment, audio transducer 226 can also becarried by flex connector 224. Since audio transducer 226 can bepositioned near the rear surface of portable electronic device 100,audio transducer 226 can mainly serve to record sound for camera modulehousing 222 when one of the camera modules is recording a video. Flexconnector 224, carrying both strobe module 116 and audio transducer 226,can be positioned on top of the top surface of camera module housing222. Flex connector 224 can be folded in a manner that will be discussedin further detail below. The folding can add space occupied by flexconnector 224 to help the sealing and positioning of strobe module 116and audio transducer 226.

I/O assembly 110 can also include a trim 230 that can enclose firstcamera module 112, second camera module 114, and strobe module 116. Trim230 can take the shape of a deep drawn bucket that can include internalwalls and chambers that can optically blocks light emitted from strobemodule 116 from leaking to any of the first camera module 112 or thesecond camera module 114. Hence, in some cases, trim 230 can also bereferred to as a light blocking trim. In FIG. 2, some of the exemplarywalls and chambers are illustrated in dashed lines. Trim 230 can alsoinclude one or more openings that provide access to first camera module112, second camera module 114, strobe module 116, and audio transducer226. Detailed structure and features of trim 230 will be furtherdiscussed below.

Trim 230 can serve multiple purposes. First, trim 230 can serve as astructural component that can help I/O assembly 110 to be secured tosome structural elements (such as side wall retainer 102 and rear coverglass 108) of portable electronic device 100. For example, trim 230 canbe formed from a high strength material such as stainless steel or otheranother suitable metal, alloy, or high strength polymer. Trim 230 canalso support other components of I/O assembly 110. For example, trim 230can have lips 236 (shaded) that can define a receptacle 238 that canreceive camera cover glass 232. Receptacle 238 can have a size and shapethat is complementary to camera cover glass 232 so that camera coverglass 232 can fit right at receptacle 238. Trim 230 can further serve asa divider that can divide first camera module 112, second camera module114, and strobe module 116 so that light emitted from strobe is notleaked to the camera modules. In some cases, trim 230 can be coated withan opaque and non-reflective material. In one case, the internal surface(or the entire trim 230) of trim 230 can be coated with a diamond-likecarbon coating with non-reflective surface texturing. Trim 230 canadditionally serve cosmetic purpose. Certain exposed edges or surface oftrim 230 (such as lips 236 shaded in FIGS. 2 and 3) can have a shinyfinish so that, when I/O assembly 110 is assembled, trim 230 can give anaesthetically pleasing outline (best shown in FIG. 3) to I/O assembly110.

I/O assembly 110 can also include camera cover glass 232. Camera coverglass 232 can be formed from a transparent material. In one case, cameracover glass 232 is formed from sapphire. However, one of its surfacescan be dyed or coated with black mass or other suitable opaque materialsin a manner that will be discussed in further detail below. Camera coverglass can overlie trim 230 and can include one or more openings and/orwindows that allow access to camera modules 112 and 114 and strobemodule 116.

FIG. 2 also illustrates an exemplary architecture of how I/O assembly110 can be secured to the enclosure of portable electronic device 100.In some embodiments, I/O assembly 110 can be secured to the enclosurefrom both outside of the exterior surface 216 of rear cover glass 108and inside of the interior surface 218 of rear cover glass 108. FIG. 2shows multiple dashed lined arrows that can represent how components ofI/O assembly 110 are secured to different part of the enclosure ofportable electronic device 100.

I/O assembly 110 can be positioned at opening 220 of rear cover glass108. I/O assembly 110 can be suspended at opening 220 such that aportion of I/O assembly 110 protrudes from exterior surface 216 and isproud of exterior surface 216 while another portion of I/O assembly 110can remain in cavity 212 (best shown in FIGS. 3 & 6B). From outside ofexterior surface 216, trim 230 of I/O assembly 110 can be secured to aturret 240. In one embodiment, turret 240 can take the form of a ringthat has a shape of the perimeter of trim 230. Turret 240 can serve bothstructural and cosmetic purposes. In terms of its structural purpose, aportion of side surface 242 of trim 230 can be secured to internal sidesurface 244 of turret 240 through adhesive and/or welding, as indicatedby arrows 246. Turret 240 can then be secured by adhesive and/or weldingto exterior surface 216 of rear cover glass 206 so that I/O assembly 110can be secured to the enclosure of portable electronic device 100 fromoutside of exterior surface 216 of rear cover glass 206. Turret 240 canbe formed from a high strength material such as stainless steel or anyanother suitable metal, alloy, or polymer. By surrounding I/O assembly110, turret 240 can provide mechanical protection to I/O assembly 110.In terms of the cosmetic purpose of turret 240, when I/O assembly 110 isassembled (shown in FIG. 3), the upper edge of turret 240 can begenerally flush with lips 236 (shaded) of trim 230 and also be flushwith camera cover glass 232. Turret 240 can also be coated with thecolor of rear cover glass 108 and/or color of camera cover glass 232.Hence, turret 240 can provide a smooth transition from exterior surface216 of rear cover glass 108 to camera cover glass 232, which is elevatedslightly from exterior surface 216.

From inside of interior surface 218 of rear cover glass 108, cameramodule housing 222 can engage with a retaining member such as a cowling250. Cowling 250 can be formed by a thin piece of metal or plastic sothat cowling 250 can be semi-flexible. In some cases, cowling 250 can bea thin sheet that includes various retention features extending fromdifferent locations that can cooperate to retain camera module housing222. In the particular case shown in FIG. 2, cowling 250 can be a bandshaped perimeter cowling that is shaped in accordance with the perimeterof the lower surface of camera module housing 222. Hence, thesemi-flexible cowling 250 can engage with camera module housing 222through frictional fit and/or snap fit. Camera module housing 222 canalso optionally be further secured to cowling 250 by adhesives and/orwelding. Cowling 250 can in turn be secured to a structural element thatis part of, or an extension of, the enclosure of portable electronicdevice 100.

In addition, trim 230 can be secured to a brace piece 252, which can bea structural element that can have an opening 254 having a size andshape that is complementary to camera module housing 222 so that cameramodule housing 222 can fit through. The bottom of trim 230 can also bemounted on the top surface of brace piece 252 by adhesives and/orwelding, as indicated by dashed lined arrows 256. Brace piece 252 can besecured to enclosure of portable electronic device 100 such as tointerior surface 210 of side wall retainer 102 by welding and/orscrewing, as illustrated by dashed line arrows 258. Brace piece 252 canalso additionally be secured to lower surfaces of ledges 214 byadhesives and/or welding, as shown in FIG. 3. In sum, from outside ofexterior surface 216 of rear cover glass 108, trim 230 can be secured toexterior surface 216 through turret 240. From inside of interior surface218 of rear cover glass 108, trim 230 can be secured to brace piece 252,which can be mounted on interior surface 210 of side wall retainer 102.Camera module housing 222 can be enclosed by trim 230.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary camera cover glass 232 inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 4A is a perspective view ofcamera cover glass 232 and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of cameracover glass 232 across dashed line 400. Camera cover glass 232 can becharacterized as having an exterior surface 402, which can be an exposedsurface of an I/O assembly, and an interior surface 404, which can beadhered to a surface of trim of an I/O assembly. Camera cover glass 232can be made from a light passing material such as sapphire glass. Oninterior surface 404, camera cover glass 232 can be dyed or coated withan opaque material 406 (not shown in FIG. 4A but shown in FIG. 4B asshaded elements) such as black mass. Hence, light cannot pass throughcamera cover glass 232 at location that is dyed or coated with opaquematerial 406. Camera cover glass 232 can include one or more windows andopenings for the access of camera modules, strobes and other component.In the context of camera cover glass 232, windows can refer to locationsof camera cover glass 232 that are absent of opaque material 406. Sincecamera cover glass 232 can be made from a transparent material, lightcan penetrate through the windows of camera cover glass 232. In theparticular embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, camera cover glass 232 caninclude two camera windows, which can be a first window 408 (a circularwindow in FIG. 4A) and a second window 410 (another circular window inFIG. 4A) that can respectively correspond to the positions of the firstcamera module and the second camera module. Windows 408 and 410 are notphysical opening of camera cover glass 232, as best illustrated in thecross-sectional view in FIG. 4B. In the context of camera cover glass232, openings can refer to cavities of camera cover glass 232, as bestillustrated in FIG. 4B. For example, camera cover glass 232 can includea first opening 412 that can be positioned collinear with and betweenfirst window 408 and second window 410. First opening 412 can correspondto the strobe that can be positioned collinear with and between thefirst camera and the second camera. Camera cover glass 232 can include asecond opening 414, which can serve as an inlet port for an audiotransducer of an I/O assembly, which will be explained in further detailbelow. In sum, a first portion of the camera cover glass 232 that allowspassage of light can include first and second camera windows 408 and 410and opening 412 between the first and second camera windows 408 and 410.A second portion of camera cover glass 232 is coated with opaquematerial 406 that blocks light from passing through the camera coverglass 232. In one case, the second portion can be all of the remainingof camera cover glass 232 except the first and second camera windows 408and 410 and the first and second opening 412 and 414.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate an exemplary trim 230 in accordance withsome embodiments. FIG. 5A is a first perspective view of trim 230. FIG.5B is a second perspective view of trim 230 when trim 230 is positionedupside down compared to the configuration in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is across-sectional view of trim 230 across dashed line 500. While aparticular exemplary trim 230 is illustrated, it should be understoodthat trim 230 could take different forms and shapes. In the particularembodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, trim 230 can take the form of a deepdrawn bucket that can define an internal volume, as best illustrated inFIG. 5B.

Referring to FIG. 5A, trim 230 can include a surface 502 and a perimeterlip 504 that extends from surface 502 to define a shape of a receptacle506. Surface 502 can include a first opening 508 and a second opening510 that provide access to the camera modules that can be enclosed bytrim 230. Between the first opening 508 and the second opening 510,there can be a third opening 512 that can provide access to a strobemodule. Trim 230 can additionally include a fourth opening 514 that canserve as an inlet opening for an audio transducer. Along the perimeterof third opening 512, there can be a second lip 516 that extends fromsurface 502. In other words, surface 502 can be recessed from lips 504and 516. Lips 504 and 516 can cooperate define the shape of receptacle506, which can have a shape that is complementary to a camera coverglass so that receptacle 506 can receive the camera cover glass. Theheight of lips 504 and 516 can be generally equal to the thickness of acamera cover glass. Hence, when a camera cover glass is placed onsurface 502, surfaces of lips 504 and 516 can be exposed and be flushwith the exterior surface of camera cover glass. The exposed surfaces oflips 504 and 516 can serve a cosmetic purpose.

Referring to FIG. 5B, trim 230 can include perimeter wall 518 that candefine an internal volume 520. Perimeter wall 518 can be used to enclosethe audio and optical components of an I/O assembly such as the cameramodules, the strobe module, and the audio transducer (the components arenot shown in FIGS. 5A-5C). Trim 230 can also include internal wall 522that can define one or more internal chamber 524 of trim 230. Oneexemplary internal chamber 524 can be located between first opening 508and second opening 510. A strobe module can be positioned within aninternal chamber 524 so that internal wall 522 can at least partiallyblock light emitted from the strobe module from leaking into any of thecamera modules. Additionally, an audio transducer can also be positionedwithin internal chamber 524. Internal chamber 524 can include one ormore keys 526 that can align the strobe module and the audio transducer.

FIG. 6A illustrates a plan view of a portion of a rear surface ofportable electronic device 100 at the location of I/O assembly 110. FIG.6A illustrates rear cover glass 108, exposed surfaces of trim 230(shaded), turret 240 surrounding perimeter lip 504 of trim 230, andcamera cover glass 232 that includes its opaque material 406 (shaded toillustrate the location of opaque material 406). FIG. 6A also showsfirst window 408, second window 410, first opening 412, and secondopening 414 of camera cover glass 232 and second lip 516 (shaded) oftrim 230 that is inserted at first opening 412 and surrounds theinternal edge of first opening 412.

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-section view of a portion of portableelectronic device 100 along the dashed line 600 in FIG. 6A. For the easeof reference, FIG. 6B is aligned with FIG. 6A. It should be understoodthat several components, such as rear cover glass 108, camera modulehousing 222, camera cover glass 232, trim 230, turret 240, cowling 250,and brace piece 252, are illustrated as having separated portions inthis cross-section view. This is because those components can have oneor more openings and/or can have a ring shaped structure so that eachcomponent is divided into more than one portions in this cross-sectionalview. For example, comparing FIG. 6B to FIG. 5C, trim 230 can be dividedinto four pieces in a cross-sectional view because of the severalopenings present in trim 230.

In FIG. 6B, the cross section of I/O assembly 110 is shown. I/O assembly110 can include camera module housing 222 that can carry circuit board618 within the cavity of camera module housing 222. Circuit board 618can carry first camera module 112 and second camera module 114, whichcan extend partially outside of camera module housing 222. Camera modulehousing 222 can be enclosed in the internal volume 520 of trim 230. Trim230 can receive camera cover glass 232 and secure camera cover glass 232by adhesives. Lips 504 and 516 can be flush with exterior surface 402 ofcamera cover glass 232. The opaque material of camera cover glass 232 isrepresented by thick black horizontal line under interior surface 404 ofcamera cover glass 232. First window 408 and second window 410 cancorrespond to locations of camera cover glass 232 that are absent ofopaque material. First and second windows 408 can respectively alignwith first and second camera modules 112 and 114 so that the cameramodules can take photos and record video through the windows.

Lip 516 can be inserted into first opening 412 of camera cover glass232. Underneath lip 516 can be an internal chamber 524 which can beenclosed by internal wall 522 of trim 230. A strobe window 228 can bepositioned in internal chamber 524. Interior to strobe window 228, astrobe module 116 can also be positioned in internal chamber 524 abovesubstrate 616 of camera module housing 222 that secures strobe module116. Strobe window 228 can be positioned slightly interior to cameracover glass 232 and interior to lip 516. By separating strobe window 228and camera cover glass 232 and by enclosing strobe window 228 with lip516, light emitted from strobe module 116 can be prevented from enteringcamera cover glass 232. Lip 516 can internally surround first opening412 of camera cover glass 232 so that lip 516 can serve as a wall thatblock light emitted from strobe module 116 from reaching camera coverglass 232 and directly or reflectively leaking into any of first cameramodule 112 or second camera module 114. Lip 516 can include a chamferededge that is sloped internally so that the surface of I/O assembly 110can smoothly transition from the external surface 402 of camera coverglass to the slightly recessed surface of strobe window 228 through thechamfered edge.

Positioning strobe module 116 between first camera module 112 and secondcamera module 114 can provide significant advantages over conventionalplacement of a strobe relative to a camera. One design concern of theposition of a strobe in a portable electronic device is that light maybe leaked or reflected to camera by a part of the portable electronicdevice. Such unintended leakage or reflection deteriorates the qualityof the images because, instead of being reflected by the targetedobjects at the focal point, some of the light is reflected by some verynearby objects that can result in glares in the images. Such potentialproblem can be worsened when the portable electronic device is coupledto an external object, such as a protective case. If the potentialreflection of light of the strobe is not taken into account whendesigning a protective case, the edges of the opening of the protectivecase for the strobe may reflect the light and deteriorate the quality ofthe images. Hence, the edge of an opening for the strobe of a case mayneed special design. A third party manufacturer of protective cases maynot be aware of the potential problem and unintentionally design casesthat could adversely affect the image quality of a camera. On thecontrary, since strobe module 116 is positioned between first cameramodule 112 and second camera module 114, the area surrounding strobemodule 116 is the area that is occupied by first and second cameramodules 112 and 114. As a result, the edge of an opening of anyprotective case that may be coupled to portable electronic device 100will be quite far away from strobe module 116. Hence, any potentialunintentional leakage or reflection of light can be addressed by thedesign of I/O assembly 110 and the image quality of the camera moduleswould not be affected by a protective case or any other accessoriesadded to the electronic device.

To further prevent leakage of light from strobe module 116 to any of thecamera modules, particularly against internal leakage, a sealing member,which can be referred to as a boot piece 602 can engage with strobemodule 116. Boot piece 602 can be a ring shaped structure (hence, shownas two portions in the cross-section view of FIG. 6B) that engages withthe perimeter of strobe module 116. Boot piece 602 can be acompression-molded piece that can be formed of an elastic and opaquematerial. Boot piece 602 can serve multiple purposes. First, it can fillthe remaining space of internal chamber 524 so that strobe module 116can be optically isolated from first and second camera modules 112 and114. Light emitted from strobe module 116 is prevented from reachinglight sensors 604 on circuit board 618. Second, boot piece 602 can alsopush strobe module 116 and strobe window 228 against trim 230 so thatstrobe module 116 and strobe window 228 can be secured in placed. Third,boot piece 602 can cooperate with foam 606 presented on selectedlocations of camera module housing 222 to provide a dust seal to the I/Oassembly 110.

Since I/O assembly 110 can be proud of rear cover glass 108, I/Oassembly 110 can be particularly susceptible to damage in an accidentaldrop. Hence, I/O assembly 110 can be secured to the enclosure ofportable electronic device 100 from both exterior and interior ofportable electronic device 100. Rear cover glass 108 is secured to sidewall retainer 102 (shaded) and on a first surface 608 of ledge 214,which can extend from interior surface 210 of side wall retainer 102.Trim 230, which can define the dimension of I/O assembly 110, can have aperimeter that generally correspond to the size and shape of opening 220of rear cover glass 108 so that I/O assembly 110 can fit through opening220. Within an acceptable manufacture tolerance range of trim 230 andopening 220, there can be small amount of space between the edge of rearcover glass 108 and trim 230. An O-ring 614 (which is represented by twosmall circles in this cross-sectional view) that can serve as a gasketcan be positioned between trim 230 and an interior edge of opening 220of rear cover glass 108 to seal the space and to secure trim 230(therefore I/O assembly 110) in place. Turret 240 can be secured toexterior surface 216 of rear cover glass 108. A portion of side surfaceof trim 230 can be secured to internal side surface of turret 240through adhesive and/or welding. Turret 240 can optionally include astop 610 that can prevent I/O assembly 110 from coming out to theexterior of portable electronic device 100.

From the interior of portable electronic device 100, brace piece 252 canbe secured to side wall retainer 102 through welding and/or screwing.Brace piece 252 can additionally be secured to ledge 214 by adhesivesand/or welding at a second surface 612 of ledge 214 opposite the firstsurface 608. I/O assembly 110 can be secured to brace piece 252 bymultiple ways. Perimeter cowling 250 can engage with the edge of cameramodule housing 222 and can fit within opening 254 of the brace piece252. Perimeter cowling 250 can be used so that only minimal extrathickness is added to the I/O assembly 110 and the supporting structure.Perimeter wall 518 of trim 230 can also be welded onto brace piece 252so that trim 230, as an enclosure of I/O assembly 110, can be securelymounted on a structural element of portable electronic device 100.

FIG. 7 is an internal plan view of portable electronic device 100illustrating side wall retainer 102 and the position of brace piece 252and I/O assembly 110 relative to side wall retainer 102. Side wallretainer 102 can include first part 202, second part 204, and a split206. Brace piece 252 can be secured to side wall retainer 102 at weldpoints 702. Brace piece 252 can be additionally secured to structuralelement 704 at weld point 706 to provide more balanced support to bracepiece 252. Structural element 704 can be extended from and secured toother structure elements of portable electronic device, such as sidewall retainer 102 or another structural element. I/O assembly 110 can becarried by brace piece 252. Since first camera module 112 and secondcamera module 114 can be spaced apart by a relatively large distance,the space between the two camera modules can fit not only strobe module116 but also an audio transducer 226 that can be positioned adjacent tostrobe module 116.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exemplary flex connector 224 in accordancewith some embodiments. Flex connector 224 can carry strobe module 116 ona first side 802 of flex connector 224 and can include a tail 804 thatcan carry audio transducer 226 on a second side 806 opposite first side802. Tail 804 can be folded onto the main part of flex connector 224 sothat audio transducer 226 and strobe module 116 can face the samedirection, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. This folding structure can helpthe alignment and positioning of strobe module 116 and audio transducer226.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of I/O assembly 110 along thedashed line 700 in FIG. 7. I/O assembly 110 can include trim 230 thatcan include internal chamber 524 that can enclose audio transducer 226.Audio transducer 226 can include a permeable membrane 902. Audiotransducer 226 can be carried by flex connector 224 and can also besecured to trim 230 through adhesive. Boot piece 602 can fill some ofthe remaining space of internal chamber 524 and push audio transducer226 against trim 230 so that audio transducer 226 can be secured inplace. Trim 230 can include fourth opening 514 that can allow sound topass through trim 230 to reach audio transducer 226. Camera cover glass232 can include second opening 414 that is protected by mesh 904. Mesh904 can serve as a dust shield to prevent ingress of dust. To fit inaudio transducer 226 to I/O assembly 110 so that the size of I/Oassembly 110 and portable electronic device 100 can be reduced, fourthopening 514 of trim 230 and second opening 414 of camera cover glass 232can be displaced and not be aligned. In addition, such displacement canincrease the effective acoustic volume 906 for audio transducer 226.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 1000 forassembling an I/O assembly in accordance with some embodiments. Method1000 can begin at step 1002, which can include positioning and aligningan audio transducer carried by a flex connector at an internal chamberof a trim of the I/O assembly. The flex connector can carry the audiotransducer at a tail and a strobe module on an opposite side of theaudio transducer. At step 1004, the method can include folding the flexconnector and flipping the strobe module to the same direction of theaudio transducer. At step 1006, the method can include positioning andaligning the strobe module inside the trim. At step 1008, the method caninclude positioning a boot piece, which can be formed from acompression-molded material, inside the trim to push the strobe moduleand audio transducer against the trim and to fill at least some of theremaining space of the internal chamber of the trim. At step 1010, themethod can include positioning a camera module housing, which can carrya first camera module and a second camera module, with respect to theperimeter wall of the trim. At step 1012, the method can includeadhering a camera cover glass to an exterior surface of the trim at areceptacle defined by the lips of the trim.

FIG. 11 illustrate a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 1100 forsecuring an I/O assembly to an enclosure of a portable electronic devicehaving a rear cover glass having an opening. Method 1100 can begin atstep 1102, which can include securing a trim of the I/O assembly to abrace piece. The securing can include welding the trim to the bracepiece or can include other suitable ways. At step 1104, the method caninclude inserting the trim through the opening of the rear cover glassso that a portion of the I/O assembly can be proud of and protrude froman exterior surface of the rear cover glass and another portion of theI/O assembly can remain interior to the rear cover glass. The bracepiece can also be positioned interior to the rear cover glass. In somecases, the trim can be inserted from the interior side of the rear coverglass. At step 1106, the method can include securing the brace piece tothe side wall retainer of the portable electronic device. The securingcan include the use of welding, screwing, gluing, and other suitableways. At step 1108, the method can include connecting the portion of theI/O assembly that protrudes from the exterior surface of the rear coverglass and the exterior surface together by a turret that can surroundthe portion of the I/O assembly. At step 1110, the method can includeinserting a camera module that is carried in a camera module housing tothe internal volume of the trim through an opening of the brace piece.At step 1112, the method can include mounting the camera module housingto the enclosure of the portable electronic device through a cowling.

It should be understood that the order of some of the steps of method1000 or method 1100 is not limiting. For example, step 1012 can beperformed before or after any other steps.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram that illustrates circuitry of a portableelectronic device 1200 in accordance with some embodiments. The portableelectronic device 1200 can be an electronic device or an articledescribed herein that includes a processor. An exemplary portableelectronic device can contain all or some of the components shown inFIG. 12. The portable electronic device 1200 can include a processor1202 that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling theoverall operation of the portable electronic device 1200. The portableelectronic device 1200 can store media data pertaining to media items ina file system 1204 and a cache 1206. The file system 1204 can be,typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks. The file system 1204typically can provide high capacity storage capability for the portableelectronic device 1200. However, since the access time to the filesystem 1204 can be relatively slow, the portable electronic device 1200can also include a cache 1206. The cache 1206 can, for example,Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. Therelative access time to the cache 1206 can be substantially shorter thanfor the file system 1204. However, the cache 1206 does not have thelarge storage capacity of the file system 1204. Further, the file system1204, when active, can consumer more power than does the cache 1206. Thepower consumption can often be a concern when the portable electronicdevice 1200 is a portable media device that is powered by a battery1224. The portable electronic device 1200 can also include a RAM 1220and a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 1222. The ROM 1222 can store programs,utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM1220 provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache 1206.

The portable electronic device 1200 can also include a user input device1208 that allows a user of the portable electronic device 1200 tointeract with the portable electronic device 1200. For example, the userinput device 1208 can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad,touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture inputinterface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further, theportable electronic device 1200 can include a display 1210 (screendisplay) that can be controlled by the processor 1202 to displayinformation to the user. A data bus 1216 can facilitate data transferbetween at least the file system 1204, the cache 1206, the processor1202, and the CODEC 1213.

In one embodiment, the portable electronic device 1200 can serve tostore a plurality of media items (e.g., songs, podcasts, etc.) in thefile system 1204. When a user desires to have the electronic device playa particular media item, a list of available media items can bedisplayed on the display 1210. Then, using the user input device 1208, auser can select one of the available media items. The processor 1202,upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, can supply themedia data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to acoder/decoder (CODEC) 1213. The CODEC 1213 can then produce analogoutput signals for a speaker 1214. The speaker 1214 can be a speakerinternal to the portable electronic device 1200 or external to theportable electronic device 1200. For example, headphones or earphonesthat can connect to the portable electronic device 1200 would beconsidered an external speaker.

The portable electronic device 1200 can also include a network/businterface 1211 that couples to a data link 1212. The data link 1212 canallow the portable electronic device 1200 to couple to a host computeror to accessory articles. The data link 1212 can be provided over awired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wirelessconnection, the network/bus interface 1211 can include a wirelesstransceiver. The media items (media assets) can pertain to one or moredifferent types of media content. In one embodiment, the media items canbe audio tracks (e.g., songs, audio books, and podcasts). In anotherembodiment, the media items can be images (e.g., photos). However, inother embodiments, the media items can be any combination of audio,graphical or visual content. Sensor 1226 can take the form of circuitryfor detecting any number of stimuli. For example, sensor 1226 caninclude a Hall Effect sensor responsive to external magnetic field, anaudio sensor, a light sensor such as a photometer, and so on.

The portable electronic device 1200 can further include circuit board1228 that can be in communication with processor 1202. Circuit board1228 can control one or more camera modules carried on the circuit boardof circuit board 1228. Circuit board 1228 can also process images and/orvideos captured by the camera modules and transmit such images andvideos in digital format to processor 1202. Circuit board 1228 and/orprocessor 1202 can also be in communication with strobe module 1230 thatprovide flash light for the camera modules of circuit board 1228.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of thedescribed embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Theforegoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device, comprising: anenclosure having a back wall; and an input/output (I/O) assembly carriedby the back wall, the I/O assembly comprising: a first camera module; asecond camera module; a strobe module positioned between the firstcamera module and the second camera module; and an audio transducerpositioned adjacent to the strobe module, wherein the audio transduceris capable of detecting audible signals.
 2. The portable electronicdevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the I/O assembly further comprisesa flex connector electrically coupled to the strobe module and the audiotransducer.
 3. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1,wherein the first camera module comprises a first range of focal lengthand the second camera module comprises a second range of focal lengththat is different than the first range of focal length.
 4. The portableelectronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the back wall comprisesa light passing material.
 5. The portable electronic device as recitedin claim 1, wherein the I/O assembly is proud of an exterior surface ofthe back wall.
 6. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1,wherein the I/O assembly further comprises a light blocking trimenclosing the first camera module, the second camera module, and thestrobe module, and the light blocking trim is configured to block lightemitted from the strobe module from leaking to any of the first cameramodule or the second camera module.
 7. The portable electronic device asrecited in claim 6, wherein the I/O assembly further comprises a cameracover glass positioned on a surface of the light blocking trim andenclosed by a lip of the light blocking trim that protrudes from thesurface.
 8. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 7,wherein a first portion of the camera cover glass is coated with anopaque material that blocks light from passing through the camera coverglass, and wherein a second portion of the camera cover glass thatallows passage of light comprises (i) first and second camera windowsand (ii) an opening between the first and second camera windows.
 9. Theportable electronic device as recited in claim 6, wherein the lightblocking trim comprises an opening, the opening corresponds to alocation of the strobe module, and the opening comprises a chamferededge.
 10. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, whereinthe first camera module and the second camera module are carried in asingle camera module housing.
 11. A portable electronic device,comprising: a display assembly capable of presenting visual content; afront cover glass overlying the display assembly; a rear cover glasshaving an opening; a side wall retainer capable of carrying the frontcover glass and the rear cover glass; and an input/output (I/O) assemblypositioned at the opening, the I/O assembly comprising a first cameramodule, a second camera module, and a strobe module positioned betweenthe first camera module and the second camera module, wherein the I/Oassembly is secured to the rear cover glass and the side wall retainer.12. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 11, wherein theI/O assembly is secured to the rear cover glass by being secured to aturret that surrounds the I/O assembly, and the turret is secured to therear cover glass.
 13. The portable electronic device as recited in claim11, wherein the I/O assembly is secured to the side wall retainer bybeing mounted on a brace piece that is secured to the side wallretainer.
 14. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 11,wherein the I/O assembly further comprises a trim that includes aninternal wall that separates the first camera module, the second cameramodule, and the strobe module.
 15. The portable electronic device asrecited in claim 14, wherein the trim has a perimeter that generallycorresponds to a size and shape of the opening, and an O-ring ispositioned between the trim and an interior edge of the opening to seala space between the trim and the opening.
 16. The portable electronicdevice as recited in claim 11, wherein the I/O assembly is covered by acamera cover glass, a first portion of the camera cover glass is coatedwith an opaque material that blocks light from passing through thecamera cover glass, and a second portion of the camera cover glass thatallows passage of light comprises (i) first and second camera windowsand (ii) an opening between the first and second camera windows.
 17. Amethod for mounting an input/output (I/O) assembly to a rear cover glassof a portable electronic device, the I/O assembly comprising a firstcamera module and a second camera module, the rear cover glass having anopening and being secured to a side wall retainer of the portableelectronic device, the method comprising: securing the I/O assembly to abrace piece; inserting the I/O assembly through the opening such that aportion of the I/O assembly protrudes from an exterior surface of therear cover glass and the brace piece is positioned interior to the rearcover glass; securing the brace piece to the side wall retainer; andconnecting the portion of the I/O assembly and the exterior surfacetogether by a turret that surrounds the portion of the I/O assembly. 18.The method as recited in claim 17, wherein mounting the I/O assembly tothe brace piece comprises welding a trim of the I/O assembly to thebrace piece.
 19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the portionof the I/O assembly that protrudes from the exterior surface of the rearcover glass comprises a trim surrounding a camera cover glass.
 20. Themethod as recited in claim 17, wherein the I/O assembly furthercomprises a strobe positioned between the first camera module and thesecond camera module.